Free medical camp for workers to be launched this Friday

A free medical camp by the Ministry of Public Health will benefit over 500 low-income workers on Friday.

The camp will be held as part of the ‘Workplace health promotion,’ which aims to protect and promote workers’ health, well-being and safety.

The Peninsula reports that it also aim to promote awareness about the need to adopt healthy lifestyles and educate participants on how to avoid accidents in the workplace.

Free medical tests, health education and consultation by ophthalmologists, ENT specialists, dermatologists, dentists, physiotherapists and nutritionists will be provided for workers at the camp in Messaied.

“We care about the workers in the country and the camp will focus on non-communicable diseases and help increase their knowledge on better lifestyle and workplace safety,” Dr Sheikh Mohamed Al Thani, Director of Public Health at the ministry, told a press conference.

He said the focus is on non-communicable diseases because Qatar has a low rate of workplace injuries and communicable diseases.

“A study suggests that work environment in Qatar is safer than workers’ countries. Average life expectancy of workers in Qatar is remarkably high compared to their country of origin due to medical facilities provided for workers here,” said Dr Al Thani.  

“We are not focusing on communicable diseases because the rate of incidence is very low in Qatar compared to other countries. That is one reason we are focusing on lifestyle diseases,” he added. 

The camp will be held in cooperation with Hamad Medical Corporation, V care, Boom Construction, WellCare drugs group, Indian Doctors Club, Forum for Indian physiotherapist in Qatar, companies, institutions and the private sector.

It will be held at a labour camp with around 2,500 workers of Boom construction company in Messaied.

A doctor will make pre-registration of 500 workers based on their age and medical history. They will undergo tests such as clinical examination, measurements of blood pressure and sugar levels, cholesterol, BMI, evaluation and treatment by physiotherapists.

All medicines will be given free and workers can refill their prescriptions at WellCare group pharmacies.

Lectures on health, educational programmes to encourage healthy lifestyle, wellness, basic life support, CPR training and how to prevent accidents at work place will be held.

Some 30 doctors, 25-30 nurses and other staff, 150 volunteers and 20 physiotherapists will take part in the event.